Mr. Benjamin F. Bourne, Jr. 69, died early Saturday morning May 7, 2016 at his home in rural Jefferson Davis County. Services for Mr. Bourne were held on Saturday May 14, 2016 at the South Pleasant Hill M. B. Church, with his son, Rev. Timothy F. Bourne officiating. Interment was in the South Pleasant Hill Cemetery, with Laird Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Bourne was the son ofthe late Benjamin Bourne, Sr. and the late Liggie Mae Bourne of rural Jefferson Davis County. At an early age, He joined the South Pleasant Hill Church, and remained a member until he moved to Hattiesburg, and united with the Mt. Zion M. B. Church, where he served in the male choir and many other capacities. After an automobile accident in 1983 that seriously affected his health, Mr. Bourne re-established his primary residence in Jefferson Davis County, and returned to the South Pleasant Hill Church.

Mr. Bourne was reared and educated in the Jefferson Davis County Schools, graduating from Prentiss High School in 1965, prior to serving a tour of duty in the Merchant Marines. After moving to Hattiesburg, Mr. Bourne started an unofficial construction business with some of the men from his church and worked this business until the automobile accident rendered him unable to do construction work. Mr. Bourne refused to allow the accident to render him completely disabled, and began to be a farmer and welder for many of his neighbors, as well as a mechanic.

Mr. Bourne married the former Nancy Faye Turner, and to this union, three children were born.

Mr. Bourne’s survivors include his three children, Marlon Bourne, Sr., Shanda Bourne, both of Hattiesburg, and Rev. Timothy (Starr) Bourne of Starksville; two brothers, Adelbert (Lenora) Bourne, and Jerry Bourne; five sisters, Lula Norwood, Willie Pippin, Charlene Miller, Ida (James) Reed, and Shelia Bourne; eight grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and friends.